Improvements in and relating to the coating of articles

ABSTRACT

A fluidic apparatus for and a method of controlling the spray emission time and the direction of movement of a reciprocating spray emitting device of a spray coating system.

, mted States atent n 1 1 1 Scharfenberger 1 1 ay 1, 1973 [54]IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING 3,592,387 7/1971 Pilottetal ..239/186 TOTHE COATING 0F ARTICLES 3,621,815 11/1971 Walberg ..239/15 3,274,8609/1966 Gauthier et a]... ....239/l86X I to J e Scharfenberger, Indlanap-3,219,276 11/1965 Norris ..239/186 olis,Ind 2,728,238 12 1955Paasche..... ....239/186 3,022,011 21962 H ..239186 [73] Asslgnfle:,Electm'coatmg Corp" 3,027,095 3i1962 Pza e e he ..239l86 Ind1anapol1s,Ind. [22] Filed: June 14, 1971 Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Attorney-Merrill N. Johnson, Harry E. Downer and [21] Appl. No.. 153,019 David HBadger Related US. Application Data 57 ABSTRACT [63] Continuation ofSer. No. 879,440, Nov. 24, 1969,

abandone A fluidic apparatus for and a method of controlling the sprayemission time and the direction of move- 52 us. 01 ..239/15 ment of areciprocating p y emitting device of a ,[5 1] Int. Cl. ..B05b 5/00, F23d1 l/28 p y coating y [58] Field of Search "239/186, 15 11 Claims 4Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3, 93,6587/1968 on ..239/l86X PATENTEDMAY 1 1913 N VE/VTOR JA ME 5 A.SCHARFENBERGEF PATENTEUMY m 3,730,433

SHEET 2 BF 2 ,TO FLUlD o SOURCE v RECIPROCATOR 6O 64 63 2 -TO POWERSTREAM T0 44 POWER STREAM 5O INVENTOR JAMES A. SCHARFENBERGERIMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE COATING OF ARTICLES This is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 879,440, filed Nov. 24, 1969, nowabandoned.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method ofcontrolling the spray emission time and the direction of movement of aspray emitting device. More particularly, the invention relates to anelectrostatic spray coating system including an apparatus for and amethod of controlling the spray emission time and the direction ofmovement of the spray emitting device.

Electrostatic charging and deposition of coating materials has become anaccepted method by which articles of manufacture are coated in severalindustries. Electrostatic spray coating of articles with a coatingmaterial lowersvthe cost of finishing the articles by, among otherthings, reducing the amount of overspray of the coating material. Inaddition, electrostatic spraying of an article with a coating materialtends to result in a substantially uniform deposit of the coatingmaterial upon the surface or surfaces of the article thereby providingthe article with an improved finish. Furthermore, the method ofelectrostatically charging and depositing of coating materials isparticularly advantageous in coating articles having irregular contourssince, generally, employment of extraordinary procedures are notnecessary to ensure a deposit of the coating material in the area of theirregular contour.

A device for electrostatically charging and depositing liquid coatingmaterials such as paint, non-liquid coating materials such as powder andthe like upon an article generally includes a high voltage, low currentDC (direct current) power supply and a means for dispensing and chargingthe coating material. The device may cause electrostatic atomization inthe case of liquid coating materials, charging and depositing of liquidand non-liquid coating materials upon the article or the device maycause charging and depositing of the liquid and non-liquid particles ofcoating material upon the article. Where a liquid coating material isused to coat an article, it may be suitably atomized by electricalmeans, by mechanical means such as centrifugal force, hydraulicpressure, air pressure, combinations thereof and the like.

'A suitable suspension means such as a hook-shaped member may be used tosuspend the article from a conveyor. The conveyor is used to transportthe article past the electrostatic spray device during application ofthe coating material thereto. The hook-shaped member is usuallyconnected to ground through the conveyor.

The particles of coating material dispensed by the electrostatic spraydevice carry an electrical charge of such a character that particles ofthe coating material are drawn toward and deposited upon the articlecarried by the hook-shaped member. Generally, the article is maintainedat a spray attracting potential, usually ground potential, by itsconnection to the hook-shaped member. Maintaining the article at aboutground potential during deposition of the charged particles dischargessubstantially all of the charge carried by the deposited particles ofcoating material.

Where the article to be coated is of such configuration that the entirearticle cannot be properly coated by a stationary spray emitting device,the effective coverage area of the spray emitted by the electrostaticspray device may be increased by repetitive or reciprocatory movement ofthe spray device in a direction transverse to the path of movement ofthe article.

When using a reciprocating spray emitting device to increase theeffective coverage area of the spray, it is desirable to be able toalter the length of the stroke of the reciprocator associated with thespray emitting device without having to terminate the coating operationto effect such an alteration. For example, it may be desirable to alterthe length of stroke of the reciprocator from 6 feet to 4 feet andvice-versa in order to properly coat intermittent batches of 5 foot and3 foot articles'carried by the conveyor into coating relation with thespray emitting device without interrupting the coating operation orshutting down the conveyor line. A reciprocator having an adjustablestroke length reduces production time loss by eliminating the possiblityof having a reciprocating stroke length of 6 feet to coat a 3 footarticle when a reciprocatory stroke length of about 4 feet will donicely.

A problem generally associated with a reciprocating spray emittingdevice is that the reciprocator is unable to substantially immediatelyreverse its direction of movement during either its upstroke or itsdownstroke without experiencing a potentially harmful stress and strainof its components. In order to reduce the stress and strain experiencedby the reciprocator to a tolerable degree during reversal of itsdirection of movement, the speed of the reciprocator is gradually slowedto' a stop position, the direction of movement of the reciprocator isreversed and then the speed thereof is increased. The variable speed ofthe movement of the reciprocator at about its stroke limits at asubstantially constant delivery rate of coating material to the spray 1emitting device affects the amount of coating material deposited on thearticle. If the periphery of the spray is caused to travel only to thetop and bottom edge areas of the article, the coating material depositedupon the top and bottom edge areas tends to be excessive. The excessivecoating material deposited at the top and bottom edges may run or sagthereby providing an undesirable finish. If the reciprocator isprogrammed in such a manner as to cause the spray emitting device totravel past the upper and lower edges of the article during slow downand reversal of the direction of move ment of the reciprocator in anattempt to minimize excessively coating the edge areas of the article,some coating material is sprayed past the edges of the article, whichresults in overspray, and hence, may result in a waste of coatingmaterial.

Another aspect which should be considered when operating a paint sprayemitting device is that most commercial paints include a volatilesolvent which may ignite when sparking, a disruptive discharge and thelike occurs in the vicinity of the solvent. For example, liquid coatingmaterial which includes an aliphatic petroleum naptha solvent such ashexane and which is about 1.25 volume percent hexane in air at about oneatmosphere of pressure requires about 0.25 millijoules of energy to beignited. It should be recognized that the amount of energy required toignite solvents, particulate coating material and the like may varywith, among other things, the type of solvent, the type of coatingmaterial and the like used during the application of the coatingmaterial to the article. Accordingly, it is a desideratum to provide acontrol system for the reciprocating spray emitting device whichincludes a minimum number of electrical components.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for overcoming the abovementioned problems. Theinvention provides an apparatus and a method which controls the emissiontime and the direction of movement of a spray emitting.

means of an electrostatic spray coating system to minimize waste of thecoating material and provide a quality finish. Also, the inventionprovides a remote spray control apparatus which is adapted to resolveintricate spray triggering logic functions utilizing coinponents havingrelatively few moving parts, fast response time, low power consumptionand the like. Adjustment of the spray emission time is accuratelycontrolled since the apparatus receives signals from the reciprocatorcarrying the spray emitting means and, therefore, monitors the actualreversing points of the spray emitting means.

It is contemplated that the present invention may also be used tocontrol the emission time and the direction of movement of a sprayemitting means of a non-electrostatic spray coating system. Further, itis contemplated that the present invention may be used with both liquidand non-liquid coating systems.

With the aforementioned objects enumerated, other objects will beapparent from reading the following description and the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a view of an apparatus, with sections cutaway, which controlsthe emission time and the direction of movement of a spray emittingmeans or device;

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view of the present invention;

FIG. 3is a cross sectional view of an H-shaped block; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention.

Referring now to the several FIGURES of the drawing and in particular toFIG. 1, an apparatus for controlling the spray emission time and thedirection of movement ofa spray emitting means or spraying device isindictated by the reference numeral 10. The spraying device is indicatedby reference numeral 11 and the hydraulic reciprocator for the sprayingdevice is indicated by reference numeral 12. The apparatus includes aswitch 13, a first fluidic trigger means 14 and a second fluidic triggermeans 15 all carried by a suitable support means comprising spaced apartplates 16 and 17. The switch 13 and the first fluidic trigger means 14cooperate to control the length of time spray emission occurs from thespraying device 11. The second fluidic trigger means 15 controls thedirection of movement of the reciprocator 12.

The switch 13 includes an arcuately displaceable vane 18 and a generallyU-shaped block 19 having a plurality of input ducts 20 and 21 and outputducts 22 and 23 provided therein. The input duct 20 is aligned withoutput duct 22 so that a fluid flow from a suitable fluid source (notshown) may flow to output duct 22 through a suitable conduit (not shown)connected to the fluid source and the input duct 20. The input duct 21is similarly aligned with output duct 23. The input duct 21 is connectedto the fluid source (not shown) by a fluid conduit (not shown).

The vane 18 is arcuately displaceable within recess 26 of the U-shapedblock 19 so as to be in an interference path with the fluid flow fromthe fluid source to either output ducts 22 or 23; that is, the vanesubstantially prevents fluid flow from the fluid source to either outputduct 22 or duct 23. However, the vane does not possess sufficientbreadth to simultaneously prevent fluid flow to both output duct 22 andduct 23.

A suitable low friction slip clutch 24 is carried by the rear plate 17of the apparatus 10. The friction clutch 24 is coupled to and driven byrotatable shaft 27. Shaft 27 has one extremity thereof fixedly connectedto a suitable driven means such as gear 60 as shown in FIG. 2. Theopposite extremity of the shaft 27 is used to drive the slip clutch 24.The output of the slip clutch 24 is suitably connected to vane 18 so asto arcuately displace the vane. Displacement of shaft 27 causes adisplacement of vane 18 through clutch 24. The slip clutch 24 isfabricated from materials having the proper characteristics forabsorbing frictional energy during slippage and for dissipating heatdeveloped during slippage.

The driven means, gear 60, connected to shaft 27 is rotatably driven byreciprocator 12 which displaces the spray emitting device 11. Rotationaldisplacement of shaft 27 in the clockwise direction by suitable movementof the reciprocator 12 causes a clockwise arcuate displacement of vane18. Vane 18 is displaced in a clockwise direction by the reciprocator 12acting through the driven means, shaft 27 and the slip clutch 24. Uponengagement of the vane 18 with stop 29, carried in recess 26 of theU-shaped block 19, displacement of the vane in the clockwise directionceases; however, shaft 27 continues to be displaced in the clockwisedirection as long as its associated driven means is rotatably displacedin the clockwise direction by movement of the reciprocator 12. Theclutch slips, that is, shaft 27 continues to be displaced in theclockwise direction while vane 18 is retained in a stationary positiondue to its engagement with stop 29. During engagement with stop 29, vane18 is in an interference path with the fluid flow from input duct 20 toits cooperatively associated output duct 22, that is, a fluid flow isprevented between input duct 20 and output duct 22 from the fluidsource. However, a fluid flow from the fluid source through the inputduct 21 to the output duct 23 occurs since said flow is not impeded bythe vane 18.

Displacement of shaft 27 in the counterclockwise direction results whenthe reciprocator 12 reverses its direction of movement. Vane 18 isdisplaced in a counterclockwise direction by shaft 27 acting through theslip clutch 24. Upon engagement of the vane 18 with a suitable stop (notshown) carried in recess 26 in substantially the same manner as is stop29, further displacement of the vane ceases. While vane 18 is restrainedfrom further counterclockwise displacement, the clutch 24 slips as theshaft 27 continues to be displaced in the counterclockwise direction.The vane 18, while engaged with stop (not shown) effectively preventsfluid flow from input duct 21 to its cooperatively associated outputduct 23. However, a fluid flow from the input duct to the output duct 22flows since the vane 18 is no longer in a position to prevent such afluid flow.

It is seen that the switch 13, which includes vane 18 and the U-shapedblock 19 having its input and output ducts, is responsive to a change indirection of the reciprocator to thereby terminate a fluid flow from thefluid source (not shown) to one of but not both of the output ducts;that is, a fluid flow from the fluid source always appears at one oranother of the output ducts.

The first triggering means14 includes a plurality of substantiallyH-shaped fluid blocks 31, 32, 33 and 34 spaced about aperture 35 infront plate 16 and about disc 36. The l-l-shaped fluid blocks 31, 32, 33and 34 each include input and output ducts which fall within the planeof aperture 37 upon alignment of the aperture with a pair of ducts. Thefluid input duct to each of the fluid blocks 31 and 34 is connected tothe output duct 22 of the U-shaped block 19 by a suitable fluid conduit.The input ducts of fluid blocks 32 and 33 are connected to the outputduct 23 of U-shaped block 19 by any suitable fluid conduit. It is seenthat any fluid flow from the fluid source present at the output duct 22or 23 of the U-shaped block 19 is caused to flow to the input ducts ofH-shaped fluid blocks 32 and 33 or 31 and 34 respectively..

Each of the H-shaped blocks 31, 32, 33 and 34 are attached to the frontplate 16 of the support means by any suitable releasable fastening meanssuch as a bolt 61, as shown in FIG. 3, which engages with the frontplate 16. The fastening means may be released and the block adjustablydisplaced to any desired position about the periphery of aperture 35formed in the front plate 16. i v

The first triggering means 14 also includes a displaceable or movableapertured member 36. The apertured member 36 may be an apertured discgenerally positioned within the aperture 35 formed in the front plate16. The member 36 includes a plurality of apertures 37 and 38 formedtherein. Member 36 is supported by rotatable shaft 39 suitablyjournaledin rear plate 17. A suitable drive means such as a gear 62, as shown inFIG. 2, is fixedly connected to an extremity of the shaft 39 opposite tothe extremity to which member 36 is attached. Member 36 is driven by thegear 62 through shaft 39. The gear 62, connected to shaft 39, is drivenby gear 60, connected to shaft 27, through any suitable coupling orlinking means such as chain 63. It is seen that if the gear 60 carriedby shaft 27 is driven in the clockwise direction by the reciprocator,the gear 62 carried by shaft 39 is also driven in the clockwisedirection and vice-versa. The shaft 39 and hence the member 36 are alsodriven in the clockwise direction and vice-versa. Thus, it is seen thatan arcuate displacement of gear carried by shaft 39 by the gear carriedby shaft 27 through the chain causes an arcuate displacement of member36.

An idler sprocket 64, rotatably journaled in rear plate 17, may be usedto provide the chain 63 with the proper tension. Generally, gear 60would be smaller in diameter than gear 62. Such a relationship providesa suitable gear reduction so that member 36 is in concert with themovement of spray emitting device 11. The gear reduction is selectedbased on, for example, the desired maximum reciprocator stroke length.

Upon suitable displacement of member 36, aperture 37 is aligned with oneof the ducts in H-shaped blocks 31, 32, 33 or 34 thereby allowing fluidflow from the fluid source (not shown) to flow from the input duct ofthat H-shaped block to the output duct of that H- shaped block. Theaperture 37 of the member 36 is of such length that it can be alignedwith the input and output ducts of only one of the H-shaped blocks. Themember 36, therefore, prevents any fluid flow to the remainingl-l-shaped blades from the fluid source from flowing to the output ductof those H-shaped blocks.

The position of the H-shaped blocks 31, 32, 33 and 34 along theperiphery of the member 36 corresponds to the point during reciprocationof the spray device 1 1 at which it is desired to cause the device toreceive a fluidic signal which causes the device to either emit orterminate emission of coating material as the case may be. For example,a fluid flow at the output duct of either l-I-shaped block 31 or 33transmitted to the device 11 would cause the device to emit coatingmaterial. A fluid flow at the output duct of either H- shaped block 32or 34 transmitted to the device 11 would cause the device to terminateemission of a coatirig material.

It is seen that in order for a fluid to flow from the fluid source tothe spray device 1 1 two conditions must be satisfied. One conditionwhich must be satisfied is .that vane 18 should be in such a position asto allow a fluid flow from the input duct to the output duct of theU-shaped block 19. Another condition which must be satisfied is thataperture 37 must be aligned with the input duct and the output duct ofthe appropriate 1-!- shaped block 31, 32, 33 or 34 before the fluid fromthe fluid source can flow to the spray device 11. If neither one of theconditions is satisfied, a fluid pulse from the fluid source is nottransmitted to the spray device 1 1.

Fluidic OR gate 44 is connected to the output ducts of the H-shapedblocks 32 and 34 through a suitable conduit. The output ducts of thel-l-shaped blocks 31 and 33 are connectedto fluidic OR gate 45 through asuitable conduit. The fluid OR gates 44 and 45 function to provide anoutput signal as long as a fluid signal appears at the input thereto.

F luidic flip-flop 46 is any suitable lock-on or memory type fluidicdevice. The flip-flop 46 has one input duct connected to the output ductof fluidic OR gate 44 and the other input duct connected to the outputduct of fluidic OR gate 45 through suitable fluid conduits.

The operation of fluidic flip-flop 46 is similar to that well known inthe fluidic art; therefore, the operation of a fluidic flp-flop will notbe discussed here since the invention is not thought to reside in theflip-flop, per se.

By the introduction of control pulses emitted by either of the OR gates44 or 45 to the flip-flop 46, the power stream (not shown) fed to theflip-flop can be switched to the desired output duct of the flip-flopand thereby used to appropriately signal the spray device 1 l suitablyconnected to the output duct of flip-flop 46. The power stream providedto the flip-flop 46 remains locked-on the desired output until anopposite control pulse is introduced thereto of sufficient magnitude tocause the power stream to switch to the remaining output duct therebyappropriately signaling thespray device 11. The flip-flop 46 is,therefore, a memory device.

If desired, the output of the flip-flop 46 may be amplified by anysuitable fluidic amplifier (not shown) and transmitted to spray device 11.

Generally, an output flowing from one output duct of the flip-flop 46 isused to cause the spray device 11 to be actuated whereas an outputflowing from the other output duct is used to cause the spray device tobe deactuated. For example, a fluid flow present at the output ducts ofH-shaped blocks 31 or 33 could cause the flip-flop 46 to assume such astate that the spray emission device 11 is signaled to initiate sprayingwhereas a fluid flow at the output ducts of H-shaped blocks 32 or 34could cause flip-flop 46 to assume such a state that the spray emissiondevice is signaled to terminate spraying.

The H-shaped blocks are so spaced about the periphery of the member 36as to correspond to the points at which the spray emission device is toinitiate or terminate spraying as the case may be. It should be notedthat the H-shaped blocks 31, 32, 33 and 34 may be moved about theperiphery of member 36 so as to correspond to the points duringreciprocation when spraying is to be initiated or terminated.

It is seen that the first trigger means 14 includes a plurality of fluidoutput ducts and input ducts which are connected to the output ducts ofswitch 13. The switch 13 and the first trigger means 14 are used tocontrol the length of time spray emission occurs from the sprayingdevice 11.

Second trigger means 15 includes a plurality of substantially H-shapedfluid blocks 48 and 49 spaced about the periphery of member 36. TheH-shaped fluid blocks 48 and 49 each include input and output ductswhich fall within the plane of aperture 38 when aperture 38 is alignedtherewith. The fluid input to the blocks 48 and 49 is supplied by asuitable fluid source (not shown) through any suitable conduit (notshown). It is seen that a fluid flow is present at the input orifices ofl-l-shaped blocks 48 and 49 under all operating conditions of theapparatus 10.

The H-shaped blocks 48 and 49 are releasably attached to the front plate16 by any suitable fastening means such as a bolt 61 which engages withthe front plate 16. The fastening means may be released and the blockdisplaced to any desired position about the periphery of aperture 35formed in front plate 16. The H-shaped blocks 48 and 49 are spaced fromeach other in such a manner as to correspond to the maximum desiredlimits of the upstroke and downstroke of the reciprocator 12. Thearcuate distance separating the blocks 48 and 49 corresponds to adesired stroke distance of the reciprocator 12. The arcuate distancerepresents a reciprocator distance reduced by a factor determined by therelationship between the circumferences ofthe gears used to drive shaft.

The second trigger means 15 also includes the displaceable or movableapertured member 36. Aperture 38, formed in the member 36, is shown asbeing displaced about 180 from aperture 37. Alignment of aperture 38 ofmember 36 with the input and output ducts of either blocks 48 and 49permits fluid to flow from the fluid source through the input duct tothe output duct of that block, when the aperture 38 is aligned with theinput and output ducts of that block. Assuming that the position ofblock 48 corresponds to the maximum desired upstroke distance which thereciprocator 12 travels, the alignment of the aperture 38 with the inputduct and the output duct of block 48 causes a fluid flow to betransmitted to memory or lock-on flip-flop 50.

Flip-flop 50 is similar in construction and function to flip-flop 46.The output of the flip-flop 50 may be amplified by any suitable fluidicamplifier (not shown) and transmitted to the reciprocator 12 through asuitable conduit. The signal emitted by the flip-flop 50 initiated byreceipt of a signal from block 48 causes the reciprocator l2'to commenceits downstroke.

The l-l-shaped block 49 carried by the front plate 16 is used to applyan appropriate signal to the reciprocator 12 through the flip-flop 50 tocause the reciprocator to terminate its downstroke and commence itsupstroke. It should be appreciated that the physical posi-' tion ofblocks 48 and 49 are of inverted polarity to each of their respectivefunctions in order to provide appropriate polarization of the functionsof blocks 31, 32, 33 and 34. It is seen that the length of thereciprocator stroke may be altered by displacing the H-shaped blocks 48and 49 about the arcuate line of travel of aperture 38 without having toterminate the coating operation to effect such an alteration.

The H-shaped blocks 31, 32, 33 and 34 are appropriately placed about theperiphery of aperture 35 so as to signal the spray device 11 to eitheremit or terminate emission of coating material depending on the positionof the spray device with respect to the article thereby accuratelycontrolling the amount of coating material deposited on the top andbottom edges of article 54.

Using the apparatus 10 in the manner described permits excellent controlof lead and lag of the fluidic signals provided to the spray device 11.The use of the low friction clutch provides the apparatus with longmechanical life. The vane 18, the U-shaped block 19, and the l-l-shapedblocks 31, 32, 33 and 34 cooperate with the apertured member 36 toprovide an efficient means of maintaining control of a reciprocatingspray device and of spray triggering. The apparatus 10 is fabricatedfrom lightweight materials and has few moving parts. The apparatus 10requires low mechanical forces for operation therefore, the apparatushas extended the life and reduced mechanical failure.

The movement of the vane 18 is controlled by the reciprocator 12 therebypermitting rapid inversion or arming of the spray device 11. Therefore,less time is spent in recycling the spray device 11 as the reciprocatorreaches its upstroke and downstroke limits. The time wasted overstrokingthe article is minimized and precise control of paint lead lag time isaccomplished resulting in a coating material savings and increasedproduction.

The spraying device 11 may be any suitable spraying device such as anelectrostatic spraying device. A suitable electrostatic spraying deviceis shown in US. Pat. No. 3,169,882. A suitable high voltage directcurrent supply 52 is connected to the electrostatic spraying device. Thedirect current power supply 52 is capable of supplying up to about90,000 volts direct current t the spraying device 11.

The spraying device 11 may be mounted for vertical reciprocation byhydraulic reciprocator 12 along the dotted line path shown in FIG. 1.

A suitable conveyor 51 is provided with movable conductive hook means 53for carrying and transporting a plurality of articles 54 to be coated.The conveyor 51 and the hook means 53 are electrically grounded. It isseen that the articles 54 are grounded by virtue of being connected toground through hook means 53 and conveyor 51.

The present invention is not intended to be limited by the disclosureherein, changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Such modifications are considered to be within the purviewand scope of the present invention and appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for controlling the spray emission time of a spraydevice and the direction of movement of a reciprocator moving the spraydevice, the apparatus comprising means for controlling the sprayemission time of the spray device including a fluidic switch adapted tobe actuated by a change in the direction of movement of the reciprocatorand a first fluidic trigger means having an input coupledto the switchand an output coupled to the spray device, the first trigger meansproviding a fluidic output signal to the spray device in response toactuation of the switch which triggers the spray device to an actuatedor de-actuated state thereby controlling the length of time sprayemission occurs from the spray device; and means for controlling thedirection of movement of the reciprocator including a second fluidictrigger means responsive to and controlling the distance traveled by thereciprocator, the second trigger means providing a fluidic output signalto the reciprocator upon the reciprocator traveling a determineddistance, the output signal of the second trigger means transmitted tothe reciprocator causing the reciprocator to reverse its direction ofmovement.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch includes atleast two fluid input ducts and at least two fluid output ducts and avane interposed between the input ducts and the output ducts, the vaneadapted to be responsive to a change in direction of movement of thereciprocator thereby terminating fluid flow to one of the fluid outputducts and causing fluid flow to appear at the otheroutput duct.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further including a clutchconnected to the vane, the clutch displacing the vane in response to achange in the direction of movement of the reciprocator.

4. An apparatus for controlling the emission time of a coating deviceand the direction of movement of a reciprocator moving the coatingdevice, the apparatus comprising means for controlling the emission timeof the coating device including a fluidic switch adapted to be actuatedby a change in the direction of movement of the reciprocator and a firstfluidic trigger means having an input coupled to the switch and anoutput coupled to the coating device, the first trigger means providinga fluidic output signal to the coating device in response to actuationof the switch which triggers the coating device to an actuated orde-actuated state thereby controlling the length of time emission occursfrom the coating device; and means for controlling .the direction ofmovement of the reciprocator including a second fluidic trigger meansresponsive to and controlling the distance traveled by the reciprocator,the second trigger means providing a fluidic output signal to thereciprocator upon the reciprocator traveling a determined distance, theoutput signal of the second trigger means transmitted to thereciprocator causing the reciprocator to reverse its direction ofmovement.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first fluidictrigger means includes a displaceable member and fluid input and outputducts, the input ducts connected to the fluidic switch, the displaceablemember interrupting the fluid flow from at least one of the input ductsto at least one of the output ducts in response to the position of thereciprocator, the fluid flow at the output duct controlling the lengthof time emission occurs from the coating means.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fluid input andoutput ducts are adjustable with respect to the displaceable member.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first fluidictrigger means includes a fluidic flip-flop connected between the outputof at least one of the adjustable ducts and the reciprocator.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second fluidictrigger means includes a displaceable member and fluid input and outputducts, the displaceable member interrupting the fluid flow from theinput duct to the output duct in response to the position of thereciprocator, fluid flow at the output duct caus: ing the reciprocatorto reverse its direction of movement.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fluid input andoutput ducts are adjustable with respect to the displaceable member.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second fluidictrigger means includes a fluidic flip-flop connected between the outputof at least one of the adjustable ducts and the reciprocator.

l 1. An apparatus for controlling the emission time of a coating deviceand the direction of movement of means for moving the coating device,the apparatus comprising means for controlling the emission time of thecoating device including fluidic switch means adapted to be actuated bya change in the direction of movement of the means for moving thecoating device and a first fluidic trigger means having an input coupledto the switch means and an output coupled to the coating device, thefirst trigger means providing a fluidic output signal to the coatingdevice in response to actuation of the switch means for triggering thecoating device to an actuated or de-actuated state to control the lengthof time emission occurs from the coating device; and means forcontrolling the direction of movement of the means for moving thecoating device including a second fluidic trigger means responsive toand controlling the distance traveled by the means for moving thecoating device, the second trigger means providing a fluidic outputsignal to the means for moving the coating device upon the means formoving the coating device traveling a determined distance, the outputsignal of the second trigger means transmitted to the means for movingthe coating device causing the means for moving the coating device toreverse its direction of movement.

1. An apparatus for controlling the spray emission time of a spraydevice and the direction of movement of a reciprocator moving the spraydevice, the apparatus comprising means for controlling the sprayemission time of the spray device including a fluidic switch adapted tobe actuated by a change in the direction of movement of the reciprocatorand a first fluidic trigger means having an input coupled to the switchand an output coupled to the spray device, the first trigger meansproviding a fluidic output signal to the spray device in response toactuation of the switch which triggers the spray device to an actuatedor de-actuated state thereby controlling the length of time sprayemission occurs from the spray device; and means for controlling thedirection of movement of the reciprocator including a second fluidictrigger means responsive to and controlling the distance traveled by thereciprocator, the second trigger means providing a fluidic output signalto the reciprocator upon the reciprocator traveling a determineddistance, the output signal of the second trigger means transmitted tothe reciprocator causing the reciprocator to reverse its direction ofmovement.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switchincludes at least two fluid input ducts and at least two fluid outputducts and a vane interposed between the input ducts and the outputducts, the vane adapted to be responsive to a change in direction ofmovement of the reciprocator thereby terminating fluid flow to one ofthe fluid output ducts and causing fluid flow to appear at the otheroutput duct.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further including aclutch connected to the vane, the clutch displacing the vane in responseto a change in the direction of movement of the reciprocator.
 4. Anapparatus for controlling the emission time of a coating device and thedirection of movement of a reciprocator moving the coating device, theapparatus comprising means for controlling the emission time of thecoating device including a fluidic switch adapted to be actuated by achange in the direction of movement of the reciprocator and a firstfluidic trigger means having an input coupled to the switch and anoutput coupled to the coating device, the first trigger means providinga fluidic output signal to the coating device in response to actuationof the switch which triggers the coating device to an actuated orde-actuated state thereby controlling the length of time emission occursfrom the coating device; and means for controlling the direction ofmovement of the reciprocator including a second fluidic trigger meansresponsive to and controlling the distance traveled by the reciprocator,the second trigger means providing a fluidic output signal to thereciprocator upon the reciprocator traveling a determined distance, theoutput signal of the second trigger means transmitted to thereciprocator causing the reciprocator to reverse its direction ofmovement.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the firstfluidic trigger means includes a displaceable member and fluid input andoutput ducts, the input ducts connected to the fluidic switch, thedisplaceable member interrupting the fluid flow from at least one of theinput ducts to at least one of the output ducts in response to theposition of the reciprocator, the fluid flow at the ouTput ductcontrolling the length of time emission occurs from the coating means.6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fluid input andoutput ducts are adjustable with respect to the displaceable member. 7.The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first fluidic triggermeans includes a fluidic flip-flop connected between the output of atleast one of the adjustable ducts and the reciprocator.
 8. The apparatusas claimed in claim 5, wherein the second fluidic trigger means includesa displaceable member and fluid input and output ducts, the displaceablemember interrupting the fluid flow from the input duct to the outputduct in response to the position of the reciprocator, fluid flow at theoutput duct causing the reciprocator to reverse its direction ofmovement.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fluidinput and output ducts are adjustable with respect to the displaceablemember.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the secondfluidic trigger means includes a fluidic flip-flop connected between theoutput of at least one of the adjustable ducts and the reciprocator. 11.An apparatus for controlling the emission time of a coating device andthe direction of movement of means for moving the coating device, theapparatus comprising means for controlling the emission time of thecoating device including fluidic switch means adapted to be actuated bya change in the direction of movement of the means for moving thecoating device and a first fluidic trigger means having an input coupledto the switch means and an output coupled to the coating device, thefirst trigger means providing a fluidic output signal to the coatingdevice in response to actuation of the switch means for triggering thecoating device to an actuated or de-actuated state to control the lengthof time emission occurs from the coating device; and means forcontrolling the direction of movement of the means for moving thecoating device including a second fluidic trigger means responsive toand controlling the distance traveled by the means for moving thecoating device, the second trigger means providing a fluidic outputsignal to the means for moving the coating device upon the means formoving the coating device traveling a determined distance, the outputsignal of the second trigger means transmitted to the means for movingthe coating device causing the means for moving the coating device toreverse its direction of movement.